Raising income insurance subsidy for the elderly
The number of elderly poor in Israel has been increasing in recent years.
About 200,000 elderly fall beneath poverty level. A civilized society cannot permit a situation where an elderly person must decide between buying food or buying drugs. We in New Hope are committed to take care of our parents’ generation and ensure their respectful existence in old age.
We commit to raise the income insurance subsidy for the elderly to NIS 4,000 per individual and NIS 6,500 per couple and thus help the weakest and most vulnerable segment of the population.
The corona pandemic attacked Israel when it was suffering various pre-existing conditions. One of the most severe among them was governmental instability. A fourth election in two years is the height of the ongoing and extended governance crisis that harms the running of the country. The high turnover rate of governments and ministers, the disconnect between the elected officials and the people, the uncertainty in government, and the multiplicity of governmental ministries and ministers harm the quality of life and pocketbook/wallet of each of us. The time has come to change the system.
The principle underlying the new system will be accountability of the elected officials to the people and the strengthening of the citizen’s sovereignty, all while ensuring the integrity in the public sphere.
Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel and the Jewish people and the largest city in the country. Jerusalem must be promoted as a leading city in Israel and in the world. In practice, with all its virtues and beauty, Jerusalem suffers from severe economic problems, a housing crisis that is worsening, and a chronic problem that too many young people do not find their place in the city and look for another alternative.
We will promote a plan that will return Jerusalem to the place it deserves, and turn Jerusalem into a thriving, attractive and powerful city that will attract the development of the entire region.
The healthcare system in Israel is one of the best in the world and is a source of national pride, due to the quality of our doctors and nurses, and the sense of mission that accompanies them in their work. However, the corona crisis has proven that in the last decade the required resources have not been invested in our healthcare, and it is facing a chronic lack of beds and advanced equipment.
New Hope will work to improve the level of the healthcare system, closing gaps in medical services between the periphery and the center, and place Israel at the forefront of medical research and technology. Targets will be set for improving the medical services for citizens and shortening waiting lines.
The Israeli education system is in crisis.
The corona crisis also revealed a management crisis in the education system, with Israeli students among the only ones in the world who have barely attended school since the outbreak of the pandemic.
New Hope has an extensive plan to reform the education system, and propel Israel to one of the leading countries in the world in the field.
5-Step Plan to Rehabilitate and Grow the Economy
A flourishing economy results from resolute policy.
Israel is capable of achieving much greater growth and success.
To heal the economy and renew growth, particularly after the corona crisis, we must determinedly execute significant reforms that have been needed for years.
New Hope will make the economy soar and return Israel to the path of growth.
At the ethical level, there needs to be a strong justification to legislate laws that limit an individual’s freedom. Such justification does not exist for criminalizing the use of the cannabis plant by over a million Israelis. Medical research proves that cannabis is less dangerous than alcohol and is less addictive than cigarettes. Thus, its legal standing must be no more onerous than theirs. Moreover, the criminalization of cannabis users marks many Israeli youth as criminal offenders and, beyond the infringement on the rights of the individual, the matter undermines the trust between the citizen and the judicial system and law enforcement.
At the ethical level, there needs to be a strong justification to legislate laws that limit an individual’s freedom. Such justification does not exist for criminalizing the use of the cannabis plant by over a million Israelis. Medical research proves that cannabis is less dangerous than alcohol and is less addictive than cigarettes. Thus, its legal standing must be no more onerous than theirs. Moreover, the criminalization of cannabis users marks many Israeli youth as criminal offenders and, beyond the infringement on the rights of the individual, the matter undermines the trust between the citizen and the judicial system and law enforcement.
The price of housing in Israel represents a significant challenge to affordable housing for young couples. This situation gives rise to wide societal gaps. Whoever comes without significant capital finds out quickly that it is difficult, if not impossible, to buy an apartment. In parallel, the rental market is not sufficiently developed and does not offer a viable alternative to this problem. The corona period has deepened this crisis. We will work so that the housing supply will meet market demands, we will remove the barriers and stumbling blocks in the process, and we will provide incentives for creating a sophisticated rental market and diverting investor needs to other areas.
6 Emergency Measures to Rehabilitate the Education System
New Hope’s emergency plan to save the education system will focus on reducing educational and learning gaps and providing emotional and social support to students who have been severely hindered in the past year, including more flexible study schedules, reinforcement classes for students when schools are closed, and transferring management powers to school principals.
Our starting point is that children need learning, companionship, and emotional support and we need to address and resolve the hardships created over the past year.
Moreover, New Hope will work to ensure autonomy is given to school principals, and a long-term response is given to high school students so that they can integrate into higher education in the best way despite the matriculation challenges caused by the pandemic.
6 Emergency Measures to Rehabilitate the Education System
New Hope’s emergency plan to save the education system will focus on reducing educational and learning gaps and providing emotional and social support to students who have been severely hindered in the past year, including more flexible study schedules, reinforcement classes for students when schools are closed, and transferring management powers to school principals.
Our starting point is that children need learning, companionship, and emotional support and we need to address and resolve the hardships created over the past year.
Moreover, New Hope will work to ensure autonomy is given to school principals, and a long-term response is given to high school students so that they can integrate into higher education in the best way despite the matriculation challenges caused by the pandemic.
The standard of living for the consumer is determined by purchasing ability. Israel is on average 22% more expensive than other developed countries, so the Israeli citizen lives has a lower standard of living than the rest of the citizens in most developed countries. Many Israelis who work for a living fail to successfully finance their livelihood in dignity, and this is a reality that we have a duty to correct.
New Hope will work to raise the standard of living of Israelis in all sections of the population, by lowering the cost of living, among other things in the following areas:
Equality is a central value in New Hope’s worldview. We will work to promote equal rights for individuals for all citizens of the country. A strong and healthy society is a tolerant society in which every person feels comfortable and safe to identify with his or her sexual orientation. New Hope supports openness, acceptance and personal security.
A strong, independent judicial system is a fundamental condition for democracy. With this, it is impossible to ignore the fact that Israeli democracy is in a decades-long crisis, emanating from the lack of true separation of governmental authorities, from absence of oversight, and lack of transparency. This environment is fertile ground for legislative and legal friction and operational paralysis.
For many years, the political system avoided resolving problems in the judicial system, and into this vacuum created entered forces that distorted the balance powers and the checks and balances needed for a healthy, stable, and functioning democracy.
The intent of Saar’s plan is to strengthen Israeli democracy through redefinition of the balance of power among the branches of government and the creation of checks and balances in the law enforcement system in order to ensure the Knesset’s freedom to legislate and Government’s ability to govern, while at the same time ensuring the independence and strength of the Court.
Easing absorption and encouraging Aliyah, are national missions at the center of the Zionist vision. In good times and bad, the State of Israel is home to Jews from around the world.
Over the years, the various waves of Aliyah have contributed greatly to the State of Israel, and it is impossible to imagine the face of Israel without each and every one of them. Along with encouraging and supporting Aliyah, the issue of absorption, or Klitah, is an issue that requires special attention. It is sadly too often the case that Jews from around the world, who have chosen to come to Israel to build their homes, are unable to integrate into society and make the decision to return to their countries. Therefore, a significant improvement in the absorption system is required at all levels.
